Spontaneous ear nose throat bleed: hematohidrosis an unknown entity series of eight cases

Authors

  • Vikram Venkatsubramaniam Jagannathan Department of Department of ENT, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
  • Rajasekar M. K. Department of Department of ENT, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
  • Shailaja Mathivanan Department of Department of ENT, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
  • Meenaxi Praveen Mehta Department of Department of ENT, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20163140

Keywords:

Spontaneous bleed, ENT, Hematohidrosis

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous bleed from ear, nose, throat is a rare condition called as hematohidrosis, which occurs under condition of extreme physical or emotional stress. This condition manifests as spontaneous painless bleeding through unbroken skin in any part of the body. It is self-limiting in nature. This condition is relatively unaware among otorhinolaryngologists, the diagnosis of which is made by presence of bloody discharge without any obvious cause through intact skin, witnessed and confirmed by a health professional and the presence of blood components on biochemical analysis.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of series of eight cases.  

Results: All eight cases had normal haematological parameters and were under emotional stress. Two cases manifested with oral bleed.

Conclusions: Hematohidrosis is relatively unknown condition to the otorhinolaryngologists and the cases are occurring sporadically which goes unnoticed. This condition occurs in severe stress which may also lead to ear, nose, oral, gastrointestinal bleeds or in combination from any of the sites with a relation of severity of stress level with quantity and site of the bleeding episodes. The condition can be managed effectively if the condition is recognized after ruling out bleeding diathesis. If awareness is created about this clinical condition which is relatively unknown entity, it will lead to further insight on evaluation and management of this rare entity probably an exocrine disorder.

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Published

2016-09-26

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Original Research Articles